The IDF reports that Arab residents of Yesha have found a new way to take advantage of the Israeli government: the filing of bogus medical claims against IDF soldiers. Several suspects have already testified that filed false such claims in order to receive compensation from Israel. They also maintain that many others have filed similar fraudulent claims in the past.
One man testified that an Arab child had mistakenly hit him with a rock meant for IDF forces. When he was evacuated to hospital, a doctor told him that he would be given a complaint form blaming the IDF, which would enable him to claim compensation from Israel. "The doctor said he would write me a complaint form blaming the army," the man said, "so that I would receive compensation. I paid the doctor 35 shekels and he gave me the form, which I gave to a foundation called 'Foundation for the Wounded.' They told me to say that I had been injured by gunshots, so I went back to Dr. Zahar and told him what the foundation had said. He offered to change the complaint form." The suspect said that Dr. Zahar, who had treated him for his injuries, had persuaded him to file the fake complaint by telling him that this kind of thing had been done many times before.
Another incident involved an Arab who broke his leg while falling down the stairs in his home on Oct. 26, 2002. According to the suspect's testimony, his neighbor convinced him to file a claim that the injury was a result of a beating at the hands of IDF soldiers. The neighbor told him, "Go to the hospital and get it X-rayed. Tell them that Israeli soldiers beat you. They will write it in your medical file, and you'll be able to receive a lot of money in compensation for the broken leg." The suspect folllowed the instructions, filled out a medical form stating he had been beaten by IDF soldiers, filed the complaint and received $200. He said that he knew of many other PA residents who had filed similar bogus claims, emphasizing that the aim was to get as much money in compensation out of Israel as possible.
One man testified that an Arab child had mistakenly hit him with a rock meant for IDF forces. When he was evacuated to hospital, a doctor told him that he would be given a complaint form blaming the IDF, which would enable him to claim compensation from Israel. "The doctor said he would write me a complaint form blaming the army," the man said, "so that I would receive compensation. I paid the doctor 35 shekels and he gave me the form, which I gave to a foundation called 'Foundation for the Wounded.' They told me to say that I had been injured by gunshots, so I went back to Dr. Zahar and told him what the foundation had said. He offered to change the complaint form." The suspect said that Dr. Zahar, who had treated him for his injuries, had persuaded him to file the fake complaint by telling him that this kind of thing had been done many times before.
Another incident involved an Arab who broke his leg while falling down the stairs in his home on Oct. 26, 2002. According to the suspect's testimony, his neighbor convinced him to file a claim that the injury was a result of a beating at the hands of IDF soldiers. The neighbor told him, "Go to the hospital and get it X-rayed. Tell them that Israeli soldiers beat you. They will write it in your medical file, and you'll be able to receive a lot of money in compensation for the broken leg." The suspect folllowed the instructions, filled out a medical form stating he had been beaten by IDF soldiers, filed the complaint and received $200. He said that he knew of many other PA residents who had filed similar bogus claims, emphasizing that the aim was to get as much money in compensation out of Israel as possible.